Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [352]
THE WEST SIDE
Covering more than 36,000 acres along the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park in Arapaho National Forest, the Arapaho National Recreation Area contains excellent fishing lakes (several with boat ramps) and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting, and camping.
The recreation area's campgrounds offer shaded campsites plus the usual picnic tables and fire pits. The most developed site, Stillwater Campground, is off U.S. 34 on the west bank of Lake Granby, about 7 miles south of the community of Grand Lake. Stillwater has showers plus water and electric hookups, available only in summer; a
limited number of sites are open in winter, when water is turned off.
Also in the Arapaho National Recreation Area, south of Grand Lake, are Green Ridge Campground (about 4 miles south on U.S. 34, then 1 mile south on County Rd. 66); and Willow Creek (about 10 miles south on U.S. 34, then about 4 miles west on County Rd.
40). All three are on lakes with fishing and boat ramps. For information on both the forest and the recreation area, contact the Sulphur Ranger District Office, P.O. Box 10, Granby, CO 80446 (☎ 970/887-4100). You can also obtain information from the Forest Service Information Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (☎ 970/295-6700; www.fs.fed.us/r2). Campsite reservations (Stillwater and Green Ridge only) are available from the National Recreation Reservation Service (☎ 887/444-6777; www.reserve usa.com).
Several commercial campgrounds in the community of Grand Lake, just outside the national park's west entrance, combine modern conveniences with a forest-camping atmosphere. Elk Creek Campground, Box 549, Grand Lake, CO 80447 (☎ 800/355-2733 or 970/627-8502; www.elkcreekcamp.com), is on Golf Course Road, off U.S. 34 on the north side of the village. It has tent and RV sites in a wooded setting, a pond with license-free trout fishing (there is a per-fish charge), a playground, a game room, and a convenience store. There are also 10 log cabins ($52 double). Winding River Resort, P.O. Box 629, Grand Lake, CO 80447 (☎ 800/282-5121 or 970/627-3215; www.winding riverresort.com), also offers forest camping, with hot showers, full RV hookups, and all the other amenities of a commercial campground. In addition, Winding River has an abundance of activities, ranging from horseshoes to horseback riding, plus hayrides, ice-cream socials, and chuck-wagon breakfasts. There's also a petting zoo. In addition to campsites, there are a variety of cabins that share the campground's bathhouse ($44), plus full cabins and lodge units ($90–$175 double). From Grand Lake, head north on U.S. 34 about 1.5 miles, turn left onto County Road 491 (across from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center), and continue 1½ miles to the resort.
Where to Stay
There is no lodging inside the park.
ESTES PARK AREA (EAST SIDE OF THE NATIONAL PARK)
For help in finding accommodations in and around Estes Park, call the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce Lodging Referral Service (☎ 800/378-3708; www.estesparkresort.com). National chains here include Best Western Silver Saddle, 1260 Big Thompson Hwy. (U.S.
34), Estes Park, CO 80517 (☎ 970/586-4476), with rates of $149 to $199 double from June to mid-September, $84 to $146 double off season; Super 8, 1040 Big Thompson Ave., Estes Park, CO 80517 (☎ 970/586-5338), $68 to $98 double in summer, $48 to $58 double off season; and Travelodge, 1220 Big Thompson Ave., Estes Park, CO 80517 (☎ 970/586-4421), $95 to $195 double in summer, $69 to $169 double off season. Many campgrounds in Estes Park also offer cabin rentals (see "Camping," above).
Allenspark Lodge Bed & Breakfast
184 Main St., Colo. 7 Business Loop (P.O. Box 247), Allenspark, CO 80510. ☎ 303/747-2552. www.allensparklodge.com. 13 units (7 with bathroom). $75–$145 double. Rates include full breakfast. DISC, MC, V. Children under 14 not accepted.
We especially enjoy the historic ambience of this